MADAGASCAR PRIME MINISTER SELECTS NEW CABINET

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000084

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND INR/AA
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR MA
SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR PRIME MINISTER SELECTS NEW CABINET

REF: A. ANTANANARIVO 0078

B. ANTANANARIVO 0060

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Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reasons 1.4 B and D.


1. (U) As anticipated in reftels, newly appointed Prime
Minister Gen. Charles Rabemananjara (who maintains his
portfolio as Minister of Interior),named his new cabinet
January 25:

-- Minister to the Presidency in charge of Decentralization
and Land Use Planning: Yvan Andrianasandratriniony (Former
Ambassador to South Africa);

-- Minister of Defense: Gen. Petera Behajaina (Retained; he
is from the coast "Cotier")

-- Minister of Justice: Lala Henriette Ratsiharovala
(Retained as the only woman in the Cabinet, although a female
academic from Antsiranana, Cecile Manorohanta, was named Vice
Minister of Education and Scientific Research);

-- Minister of Civil Service and Social Law: Tsiandopy
Jacquis (Former Governor of Antsiranana and a Cotier);

-- Minister of Finance and Budget: Benjamin Radavidson
Andriamparany (Retained);

-- Minister of Environment and Forest: Koto Bernard (Former
Chief of Region of Vatovavy Fitovinany and a Cotier);

-- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Gen. Marcel Ranjeva
(Retained);

-- Minister of Health and Family Planning: Dr. Jean Louis
Robinson (Retained);

-- Minister of National Education and Scientific Research:
Haja Nirina Razafinjatovo (Retained);

-- Minister of Agriculture: Marius Ratolojanahary (Former
Secretary General to the Ministry of Agriculture, Poultry and

SIPDIS
Fisheries);

-- Minister of Youth and Sports: Philemon Rabarison (Not
well known);

-- Minister of Post, Telecommunications and Communication:
Bruno Andrianatavison (Retained);

-- Minister of Economy, Commerce, Planning and Private
Sector: Harrison Randriarimanana (Moving over from being
Minister of Agriculture, Poultry and Fisheries);

-- Minister of Public Works and Meteorology: Rolland
Randriamampionona (In a slight shift of portfolio - he had
been Minister of Public Works and Transportation);

-- Minister of Transportation and Tourism: Julien Laporte
Rabenarivo (A former official at the Presidency);

-- Minister of Energy: Patrick Ramiaramanana (Former Mayor
of Antananarivo and a protege of President Marc Ravalomanana);

-- Minister of Mines: Olivier Donat Andriamahefaparany (In a
narrowing of his portfolio; he was formerly Minister of
Energy and Mines);

-- State Secretary at the Ministry of Interior in charge of
National Police and Public Security: Desire Rasolofomanana
(Newly created position).

COMMENT:
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2. (C) The two biggest surprises are the break with tradition
in having both President and Prime Minister being from the
high plateau; and the number of Ministers who were retained
when Post expected a greater shake-up. A few Ministries were
combined or split; at first blush these changes seem
reasonable. Minister Radavidson's newly-focused Finance and
Budget portfolio is a useful effort to improve woeful fiscal

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management. Minister Randriarimanana, one of the Embassy's
best contacts during his time at Agriculture, should be up to
the task even though he is taking over a new mega-ministry.
The split of Energy and Mining into separate Ministries
assigns appropriate priority to each of these portfolios so
vital to Madagascar's development.


3. (C) From Post's perspective, the biggest disappointments
were the retention of Defense Minister Behajaina and Justice
Minister Ratsiharovala, both of whom have been relatively
ineffective. Post does not interpret the folding of Public
Security into the Ministry of Interior to have any negative
impact on police or security operations; the move seems
administrative.


4. (SBU) Fewer than half of the cabinet is from the coast; a
point surely to be exploited by opposition leaders - none of
whom were offered the olive branch of a cabinet position.
The President will answer this criticism by saying
competence, not origin, was his criterion for selection.
Post will report septel the impact on U.S.-Malagasy
relations, but the initial reaction is very positive with
close and effective friends remaining in or moving to top
policy posts. END COMMENT.

McGEE